Entering the new year, Britons are more positive about the economy, the family, and Britain itself, than we were this time last year. But will that glimmer of hope drift away or can it be built on?

In the past 12 months we have reconsidered what brings our nation together, but the task for the next 12 is to tackle divisions that have the power to drive us apart. State of the nation: Where is bittersweet Britain heading? takes a look at some of the issues that could be set to divide Britain in 2013 – concern over immigration, Scottish independence and unequal opportunity across gender and class.

The report, featuring our latest Ipsos MORI polling, looks at the topics that are going to be the defining issues for Britain in 2013. Sunder Katwala looks at what’s driving up immigration concern, Ian Birrell thinks about why newcomers are more positive than people born in Britian, and Alan maryon-Davis looks at what’s in store for the NHS on its 65th birthday.